Peer-to-peer network image distribution hierarchy

摘要

In one embodiment, network devices such as IP phones may be upgraded with a set of files. A master network device in the set of network devices is identified. The master network device retrieves or receives one or more files in the set of files. The master network device then distributes the file(s) to one or more network devices in the set of network devices, thereby enabling the file(s) to be distributed in a hierarchical manner to remaining network devices in the set of network devices.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
dynamically generating a hierarchy value by a network device in a set of network devices and broadcasting the hierarchy value to other network devices in the set of network devices, wherein the hierarchy value is a randomly generated numerical value; receiving hierarchy values that have been dynamically generated by the other network devices in the set of network devices and broadcast by the other network devices in the set of network devices, wherein the hierarchy values are randomly generated numerical values; identifying by the network device in the set of network devices its status as a master network device in the set of network devices by comparing the hierarchy value that is dynamically generated by the network device with the hierarchy values that have been dynamically generated by and received from the other network devices in the set of network devices, wherein the master network device is responsible for initiating distributed downloading of or more files in a set of files, wherein the master network device serves as a master network device only for the one or more files to be distributed by the master network device, wherein a different one of the set of network devices is configured to serve as a master network device for a different file in the set of files, and wherein the hierarchy values that have been dynamically generated by the other network devices in the set of network devices have been broadcast by and received from the other network devices in the set of network devices; retrieving or receiving the one or more files in the set of files by the master network device; receiving by the network device an index file identifying the set of files, wherein the index file indicates an order in which the set of files is to be retrieved and distributed among the set of network devices; and automatically distributing the one or more files by the master network device to a subset of the set of network devices without receiving a request from the subset of the set of network devices, the subset of the network devices including one or more network devices in the set of network devices, wherein the one or more files are configured to be distributed in a hierarchical manner to remaining network devices in the set of network devices via the subset of the set of network devices.